SCGC Accolades Winter 1991

In the winter of 1991 the publication "SCGC Accolades" came out with their second volume which includes a continuation of the history of SCGC that began in SCGC Accolades Volume I.

You can view a scanned copy of the original publication above or read the copied and pasted text below.

The SCGC Saga Continued

by Robert Robinson

Eighty-one brought forth Entrada as dominant in open class battling it out with Triptych. New in open class were Carolina guards 308 and Outer Bank. The University of South Carolina introduced 308 whereas Outer Bank stemmed from Eastern Carolina University.

Class A still had the Blue Nights, Innovation, and Sentinel. The Blue Nights chose selections from Earth, Wind, and Fire; Innovation used Rick Wakeman arrangements; and Sentinel used "Birdland". The trend during the early eighties was to pull out surprise endings for championships. The Blue Nights pulled outthirteen-year-old LaCary Hunley lipsyncing to Elvis's "Hound-Dog"; Innovation chose to style its girls in braids and perform to "Bolero".

By 1982, Tennessee was bringing out guards from Bradley County and Chattanooga. Jacksonville State University brought back a classical style guard called Regency. By midseason Regency moved from a novice group to developing into a competitor with Entrada. At championships, Regency won High GE, but placed second to Entrada, the Sweepstakes winner and the high M&M winner. Entrada still maintained its reputation as a high executing guard from 1977 Midwestto 1982. Also in the early eighties, all college-aged groups entered Open Class.

The circuit was continuing to grow and began to bring out Jr. High guards such as Scarlet Tanagers of Talladega, Alabama, and Southern Charm of Columbia, Tennessee. Both of these guards provided refreshing and competitive shows with many of the existing B guards.

In 1983, the rivalry of the Blue Nights and Sentinel were being carried on in Open Class with Entrada, whereas new high school competitors Design of Lassiter High School, Georgia, and Prism of Knox vi lie, Tennessee were battling for the class A trophies. Prism performed to "Africa" and was a co-ed guard led by Jim Idol. Design used "Designer Music" and "Hot Lunch Jam" from Fame, Design, 1984 directed by Robert Robinson. Prism won the first show of the season, but Design placed first in the remaining regular season shows. Other A groups included the MidSouth Raiders of Montgomery, and Phenix, of Phenix City, Alabama. All the groups mentioned attended the Southern Regional in Pensacola and all, save one, were finalists. Also, 1983 brought out the South II Regional held in Cleveland, Tennessee which brought a first place victory to Sentinel. The SCGC championships brought victories to Entrada in Open and Prism in A.

In 1984, The Blue Nights and Entrada were strong in Open Class. Entrada used the disco "So Many Men" and maintained its innovative style. The Blue Nights continued with their disco themes also. In class A were Phoenix of Warrior, Alabama and Phenix of Phenix City, Alabama. Decorum reentered the circuit under the name of Fairfield and used Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Design's show was noted for its butterfly evening gowns of satin concealing togas later revealed as the show progressed to Madonna's "Burnin' Up." Also using "Burning Up" was Irish Rhapsody of Chattanooga, who sported fedora hats, and whose members painted one eye black. The 1 984 season also brought forth the mingling of the Gulf Coast Circuit and the SCGC. At a show held in Montgomery, Choctawhatchee competed and placed second to Design, but later gained first place at the southeastern Regional. The regional, hosted at Lassiter High School in Marietta, by Design, brought forth in high school class Choctawhatchee placing first, Design second, and the new Hillwood, Tennessee Pizazz third, the Blue Nights fourth. In the independentAdivision, the winner was the Miamisburg Vikings of Ohio. Sal Salas brought State Street Review down in Open class to gain the title while competing against the Pride of Cincinnati,308, Entrada, and others.

The SCGC groups traveled to the Fort Walton Open and the Southern Regional. At the SCGC championships, the Blue Nights defeated Entrada in all captions, but Entrada won the Sweepstakes trophy. Design remained undefeated in A and won both the title and sweepstakes.

In 1985, Hillwood Pizazz gained momentum, Design folded due to lack of school administrative support prior to the season opening, and new guards entered the circuit. Good competitive rivalry with Spectra and Pizazz broke out in class A. Open class reintroduced the Southern Lancers with a new director, Terri Gaines Moody; Charisma of Christian County, Kentucky, under Alan Casey; and Exit 25 led by Alan Hunt The Lancers used a military style once again using "Carmina Burana" and Charisma used "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. SCGC championsh ips resulted in the following finishes: Open: 1 st Charisma; 2nd Blue Nights; 3rd Southern Lancers; 4th Entrada; 5th Exit 25. In Class A: 1 st Pizazz; 2nd Spectra; 3rd Phenix; 4th Rhapsody.

Another five years ended quickly, which puts the SCGC history at 15 years. Coming in the next issue of ACCOLADES: 1986-1990. And to all unit managers: Please send in your guards biographies. All the above was from memory and recaps!